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Tuia Programme
Applications for the Tuia Programme 2026 are closed. Mez Watson has been selected as this year's rangatahi.
Quick links
What is Tuia?
Tuia is an intentional, long-term, intergenerational approach to develop and enhance the way in which rangatahi Māori contribute to communities throughout New Zealand.
Hear from 2024's rangatahi, Imogen Smith:
We look to build a network, learn local history for rangatahi to help support them in their contribution to their communities. This is done through mentoring with Mayor John Glover and developing relationships between a diverse range of rangatahi throughout the country that recognises, accepts and celebrates diversity.
Three pou make up the Tuia rangatahi experience:
Mentoring
Community contribution
Wānanga
You can find out more about the programme by reading the prospectus below.
Application process
When applications are open and you wish to apply, please email QLDC's EA to the Mayor with a short letter or video about yourself explaining why you should be selected for the Tuia:
We look for rangatahi Māori (aged 18 to 25 years) who reside within the Queenstown Lakes District and, at some level, are actively contributing to the wellbeing of their community, or have an aspiration to do so.
Past rangatahi
We have had the pleasure of working with previous rangatahi through the Tuia programme.
Read more about their experiences below:
2025: Taylah Cooney (PDF, 226KB)
2024: Imogen Smith (PDF, 249KB)
2023: Aaliyah Fowler (PDF, 81KB)
2022: Olivia Plimmer-Jones (PDF, 122KB)
2018: Evie Reay (PDF, 98KB)